If drug paraphernalia is illegal, how do headshops operate?

smokajoe

Well-Known Member
Hey RIU I was just wondering-everything I read about posession of pipes/bongs being illegal, I am wondering if thats the case-how do headshops operate-being that all they sell is possible paraphernalia, are there any cases that shops were closed down?
 

Dbozz628

Well-Known Member
Its for TOBACCO use only. Tobacco is legal both state-wide and federally. A "Waterpipe" is legal, a "Bong" is illegal, but that's just semantics.
 

Dbozz628

Well-Known Member
I was joking around with my friend after a trip to the head shop a few years back and we were talking about this same topic. The head shop also sold "adult novelties", e.g. dildos, etc. and I thought that since sodomy is against the law in some southern states they should have a sign that reads, For Vaginal Use Only.
 

racerboy71

bud bootlegger
Hey RIU I was just wondering-everything I read about posession of pipes/bongs being illegal, I am wondering if thats the case-how do headshops operate-being that all they sell is possible paraphernalia, are there any cases that shops were closed down?
i take it you've never heard of a guy named tommy chong? tommy chong, of the famed cheech and chong, was selling bongs via the mail out of pennsylvania, and got caught up in a paraphernalia case, in which i think he did around 2 years or so..
i'll try and find a link and brb.. but yeah, to answer your question, people can and definitely do get busted for selling bongs.. :wall:
 

racerboy71

bud bootlegger
i take it you've never heard of tommy chong, of the famed cheech and chong?
a few years ago, tommy was selling bongs i do believe mail order out of pennsylvania and got arrested on federal charges for doing so..
i'll try and find a link, but to answer your question, yes, people can and do get arrested for selling bongs, which is the most retarded thing ever imvho.. :(
 

smokajoe

Well-Known Member
i take it you've never heard of a guy named tommy chong? tommy chong, of the famed cheech and chong, was selling bongs via the mail out of pennsylvania, and got caught up in a paraphernalia case, in which i think he did around 2 years or so..
i'll try and find a link and brb.. but yeah, to answer your question, people can and definitely do get busted for selling bongs.. :wall:
oh ya I remember watching a documentary about that! And that is hilarious dbozz
 

Dbozz628

Well-Known Member
Yeah, from what I gathered, it was his son running the company using the Tommy Chong name, and the D.A. was some Mary McKeen Houghton from Pennsylvania where the 9/11 plane crashed in a field. She was appointed in charge of "Operation Pipe Dreams" and decided to make an example of Tommy and busting him and sending him to prison. They busted him by purchasing the Bong/Waterpipe and having it sent to Pennsylvania where they were illegal.
 

andreve

New Member
Yes I agree that he was just endorsed the products, not actually selling them.If he wants to sell them he need to fulfill all patents and other intellectual property rights.For this he has to go for trademark.
 

Ammastor

Active Member
I know the head shops in my area have signs posted. They want you to call bongs water pipes and bowls pipes. If you call them bowls or bongs they wont sell you the piece. Everyone knows its for MJ but if they make it sound like they are selling for tobacco use only then they are allowed to sell the pieces.

-Ammastor-
 

Subu

Well-Known Member
Most places say they are Vases otherwise designed for legal herbs / tobacco.

Has anybody taken a hit of tobacco off a bong? :smile:
If you wanna taint your bong with a tobacco smell/taste go ahead. I've smoked tobacco/weed mix out of a bong when it wasn't my weed or piece and I was getting shouted.. disgusting
 
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